Former NTF-ELCAC spokesman Antonio Parlade runs for president

Former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Antonio Parlade Jr runs for president.

The retired general is the substitute bet of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino after party candidate Antonio Valdes withdrew last week.

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However, Valdes was in Comelec’s tentative list, making substitution ineligible. Comelec said its Law Department would still accept COCs today and will evaluate later.

In July, Parlade has resigned from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“Yes, I have submitted my letter of resignation addressed to the President almost a month ago,” Parlade said in a text message.

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“I want to ease the pressure to the NTF ELCAC principals who are being questioned by legislators for designating me in spite my being in the active service.”

In April, Sen. Panfilo Lacson proposed to include in the Senate resolution to remove Lt Gen Antonio Parlade, Jr. as spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC.

Lacson was one of 14 senators who supported Drilon’s resolution punishing Parlade after calling them “stupid.”

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Parlade became controversial after he allegedly red-tagged celebrities Angel Locsin, Catriona Gray, and Liza Soberano.

In October 2020, Parlade warned actress Liza Soberano and Catriona Gray concerning their support to the Gabriela Women’s Party, allegedly connected to communists rebels.

“The choice is yours, Liza, and so with you, Catriona…” Parlade said.

Former NTF-ELCAC spokesman Antonio Parlade runs for president

In April, the ex-NTF-ELCAC spokesperson called community pantries “CPP,” also an acronym for the Communist Party of the Philippines.

In October 2018, he was heavily criticized by De La Salle University, the University of Santo Tomas, and numerous other Higher Education Institutions when he identified 18 universities and colleges in Metro Manila as venues for recruitment for an alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte, called “Red October.”

In October 2020, Antonio Parlade was likewise criticized for accusing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno of “fear[ing]” and “welcoming” Communists to the city after the Mayor ordered the taking down of unauthorized tarpaulins that erroneously declared Communists as personae non gratae in the city.

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